Former Jackrabbit Pitcher Layne Somsen Gets Call up to Big Leagues

For the third time in history, a former South Dakota State pitcher is heading to the big leagues.

Former Jackrabbit Layne Somsen has been promoted from AAA Louisville to Cincinnati Reds. Somsen is expected to be in uniform Monday night, April 25, 2016, when the Reds play at the New York Mets. In the minors this season, Somsen made five appearances with a 1.04 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 8.2 innings.

The Yankton native was a 22nd round pick of the Reds in 2013, after being named the Summit League Pitcher of the Year while at South Dakota State. Somsen pitched for the Jackrabbits from 2009-13 and ranks fifth in Jackrabbit history for career innings pitched (215.0), strikeouts (180) and games started (38). In his senior season, he led the Summit League with 91 strikeouts and a 1.87 ERA in helping lead the Jackrabbits to their lone appearance in the NCAA Tournament at the Division I level.

Somsen is the third former Jackrabbit player to reach the big leagues, joining fellow pitchers Caleb Thielbar and Blake Treinen. Thielbar pitched for the Minnesota Twins from 2013-15, while Treinen has been a member of the Washington Nationals since 2014.